AI-powered archive proposed to preserve indigenous languages

AN artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital archive has been proposed to preserve Sarawak’s indigenous languages and help younger generations learn their mother tongues.

Tanjong Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang Leong Ming said the initiative could build on the State Library’s existing efforts to document the languages, traditions and oral histories of indigenous communities.

He said smaller ethnic communities, including the Kelabit, Penan, Kenyah and Kayan, face the risk of losing their languages and cultural traditions as younger generations become less familiar with their roots.

“Many of our elders still carry valuable knowledge, traditional stories, songs and poems that have never been properly recorded.

“When these elders are gone, some of this knowledge may be lost forever,” he said when debating in support of the Sarawak State Library (Amendment) Bill, 2026 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today (Oct 13).

Pang proposed expanding the library’s existing Oral History Division and Sarawakians digital collections into an AI-powered Indigenous Language and Oral Heritage Digital Archive.

He said the initiative could involve community elders, cultural organisations, universities and technology experts in recording indigenous languages, traditional songs, poems and stories.

More importantly, he said AI could help transform these recordings into interactive learning programmes that allow children to practise pronunciation, conversations and traditional expressions.

Citing the Kelabit community as an example, Pang said children whose parents no longer regularly speak their mother tongue may have limited opportunities to learn from fluent speakers.

“Imagine if we could record the voices of our elders speaking their native languages, telling traditional stories and singing traditional songs.

“With the help of AI, these recordings could eventually be used to develop learning programmes that help children learn the correct pronunciation, practise conversations and understand the meaning behind these traditional expressions,” he added.

Pang said such programmes could also help younger Sarawakians reconnect with their cultural roots even when living far from their communities.

However, he stressed that the initiatives must be developed in collaboration with the communities concerned to ensure their languages and traditions are accurately documented with their consent.

He also welcomed the new provisions for memorial archives under the Bill, saying they could provide an opportunity for the State Library to play a greater role in cultural preservation.

“Preserving a language in an archive may prevent it from being forgotten. But teaching the next generation to speak that language is what will keep it alive,” he said.